Frank l



(No Model.)

P. L. FAIRGHILD.

TRACTION ENGINE.

No. 803,828. Patented Aug. 19, 1884.

NITED STATES Parent rricn.

FRANK L. FAIROHILD, OF MOUNT VERNON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR- TO O. 85 G. COOPER & C0,, OF SAME PLACF.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATIOE forming part of Letters Patent No. 303,828, dated August 19, 1884.

(No model.)

To (tZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. FAIRCHILD, of Mount Vernon, in the county of Knox and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Inqn-ovemcnts in Traction'Engines, of which the following is a specification.

These improvements mainly relate to the arrangement and manner of supporting the main or driving axle of the engine, and to the construction and arrangement of the platform at the rear of the engine. The main or rear axle on which the driving-wheels are mounted is placed in rear of the fire-box, and is supported in journal-boxes carried by a stirrupbracket which passes beneath and around the under part of the boiler, so as to form in effect a bed in which the rear part of the boiler rests. Power is transmitted to the drivingwheels through a single inclined shaft, which, at its upper end, gears with the engine-shaft, and at its lower end engages the compensat inggear of the driving-wheels. Theplatform is made hollow, so as to constitute a watertank, and is supported and carried by the stirrup-bracket above referred to, its connection therewith being of such a nature that it can be readily removed when desired. The im provements result in the production of simple and efiicient road engine and motor. There are fewer parts to keep in repair than in ordinary road-engines. The whole arrangement is compact and convenient, and the weight is about evenly divided between the front and rear axles. thus insuring tractive power and enabling the engine to more easily pass over obstructions.

I shall now proceed to more particularly describe my improvements by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an engine embodying said improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stirrup-bracket hereinbefore referred to, together with that part of the firebox end of the boiler that rests in it, and also the platfbrm-tank. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of said bracket without the platform-tank. Fig. dis an enlarged section of the stirrupbracket on line at i, Fig. 3.

The engine represented in Fig. 1 is in its general organization and form similar to the road-engine manufactured by O. & G. Cooper & 00., of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

A is the horizontal boiler, supported at the front by the front axle and wheels 13, as customary. C is the usual guiding-rod, forturning the frontaxle on its pivot. Dis the engine proper, and E is the engine-shaft.

F is the rear or main. axle, on which are mounted the driving-wheels G and their compensating-gear H. This compensating-gear being of known form and construction, it is not necessary to describe. It is sufficient to say that motion is imparted thereto from a pinion on the lower end of the inclined shaft I, which latter, at its upper end, is geared to the engine-shaft E, as indicated in Fig.1. The main axle is supported in large bearings or journal-boxes J, which are part of thestirrupbracket K. This bracket, owing to its form, is of great strength. It is L-shaped approximatel y in cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 4. It passes under the boiler around its rear end and sides, against which it fits snugly, being held thereto by bolts c. The bracket thus forms in effect a bed on which the boiler rests, the strain due to the weight of the latter coming upon the bracket itself and not upon the bolts (I. The axleboxes J project from the rear of the L-shaped bracket in a position to properly receive the axle, which passes across the rear end of the boiler or fire box in such position as not to interfere with the doors therein.

The platform upon which the engineer stands is indicated at L. It is made hollow and in tank form, so as to serve as a water-tank for the engine. I attach it to the stirrup-bracket K by means of supporting-bars b, which fit in sockets 0 formed in side lugs, .d, cast or made in one with the bracket, and of braces or rods e, which at the top are pinned, as at f, between earsj', formed at each upper end of the bracket, and at the bottom are bolted to the top of the platlbrnl-tank, shown in Fig. 2. The tank is also bolted to the bars I), as indicated at g. The platform-tank is thus secure ly held in place, but is so connected to the bracket that it can be easily detached and re it for this purpose.

moved, all that is needed for this purpose being to remove the pins f, which will leave the platform, together with its supporting-bars I) and braces or rods 0, free to be withdrawn from the bracket K.

I have not deemed it requisite to show the opening through which the tank is filled, nor the pipe connecting said tank with the boilerfeed, these being well-known devices. Upon the platform-tank can also be placed the fuelboxes h, if desired, there being ample room on The bracket K also has the coupling i, to which can be hitched any wagon or the like. The journal-boxes J are each provided in the under part with gibs j, adjustable by means of set-screws k to take up wear.

Having now described my improvements, and the manner in which the same are or may be carried into effect, what I claim as new and of my own invention is l. The combination, with the boiler and the main or rear axle, extending across in rear of said boiler, of the stirrup-bracket extending beneath the boiler and formed to fit around and upon its rear end and sides, and provided with journal boxes or bearings for the axle, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

2. The combination of the boiler, the stirrup-bracket supporting said boiler at its rear end, and main or rear axle having hearings in said bracket, and extending across in rear of the boiler, the driving-wheels and compensating-gear carried by said axle, the inclined shaft I, and the engine-shaft E, these parts being arranged together substantially in the manner hereinbefore set forth. y

3. The combination of the boiler, the stirrup-bracket for supporting said boiler,and the hollow platform-tank detachably connected to said bracket, substantially as hereinbefore de-' scribed.

4.. The boiler-supporting stirrup-bracket provided with lugs or cars for receiving the platform-tank-holding bars and rods, in com- 

